Matt Gade | The Grand Rapids PressDavenport's James Nelson drives around the defense of Marygrove's Justin Armstrong on Tuesday night. Nelson finished with 32 points in the Panthers' win.

GRAND RAPIDS -- Davenport University senior guard James Nelson plans to spend Thanksgiving Day counting the multiple blessings in his life that include being the unquestioned leader of the No. 3-ranked NAIA Division II men’s basketball team and the program’s second all-time leading scorer.

He’ll give thanks for a proud list of accomplishments on the court.

He’ll give thanks, most of all, for being part of two loving families.

"I take from all of my life experiences," said Nelson, who led Davenport with a career-high 32 points in a 96-70 victory against Marygrove on Tuesday night at DU Student Center. "I lost my mom when I was 9 years old. I had to grow up without her. I don’t complain. I’ve been through quite a lot for a 22-year-old, but I wake up every day knowing there are a lot of people who care about me."

He has been the recipient of so much affection after a heartbreaking childhood.

His home since age 9 became older sister Joslyn Dilbert’s residence in New Haven following the passing of their mother, Lori Eileen Dilbert, from a battle with stomach cancer on her 35th birthday in 1999.

Later, his home since age 15 became the Dumars residence in Bloomfield Hills after he transferred from New Haven to Detroit Country Day after his sophomore year of high school.

Initially, he tried living with his estranged father, James Nelson Sr., but when that didn’t work out, his close friendship with Jordan Dumars, son of the NBA Hall of Famer, prompted Joe and Debbie Dumars to open up their hearts and their home to him.

Both places are sanctuaries for him.

He felt the warmth of his 21-year-old sister’s affection when she agreed to become his legal guardian upon his mother’s death.

Joslyn already had a 1-year-old child at the time, but she still made room for James and his older brothers, Cam and Bret, so the three of them could remain together.

"I talk to her or text her every day," Nelson said of his sister, who’s now 33 and mother of two children. "To be able to take all of us in at that age is just incredible to me. My sister is my hero. She’s my idol."

It was while growing up under his sister’s care that Nelson became close to his uncle, Lonnie, who emerged as the real father figure in his life. Lonnie Nelson, 44, died April 7 after a battle with bladder cancer.

"My uncle played a major role in my life," he said.

The next parental figures who showed him unconditional affection came as a surprise.

Joe Dumars, president and general manager of the Detroit Pistons, and his wife, Debbie, encouraged Nelson to move into their house since he and Jordan had become fast friends as teammates on a summer team.

"Jordan and I grew close really fast," Nelson said. "We’re brothers. We talk every day. The Dumars treat me just like family. It’s another home for me. From the beginning, they just welcomed me in.

"It’s been such a blessing."

He refers to Debbie Dumars as his mom.

He regards Joe Dumars as another father figure from whom he seeks advice about both basketball and life.

"He’s been so influential," Nelson said of Dumars. "He came from a pretty rough background (in rural Louisiana) himself. He’s taught me a lot about life. He has taught me you have to keep pushing and you have to keep working.

"He tells me, ‘Nothing’s ever easy.’ We have those talks all the time."

Upon graduation from high school, Nelson accepted a scholarship to play basketball at Grand Valley State University. He redshirted his freshman season on a talented team that reached the NCAA Division II Elite Eight, then decided to find a new place to call home when he transferred to Davenport as a sophomore.

He followed former GVSU assistant Burt Paddock to Davenport, helping transform the Panthers, who hadn’t won more than 10 games in their first five seasons, into a budding national power. Davenport, off to an 8-0 start this season, reached the Elite Eight of the NAIA-II national tournament last year.

Paddock has a deep affection for Nelson.

"On the court, if things are going bad, I have trust in him he’ll find a way because of all the things he has been through," Paddock said. "I would never say I play favorites, but I do have a special place in my heart for him because of where he has come from and what he has been through in his life.

"I know how hard he has worked to get here. He’s pretty amazing."

Even more amazing is the misconception that Nelson had a privileged childhood.

"I’ve had some coaches say to me, ‘He’s living a charmed life because he has had Joe Dumars raising him.’ I hear that stuff and it frustrates me," Paddock said, "because they don’t understand what he’s been through.

"He lost his mom. He didn’t have his dad there for him growing up."

Still, through it all, Nelson has no bitterness or resentment about his upbringing. He is the ringleader on the team when it comes to performing community service projects or going behind the scenes to let Paddock know when one of the players is having a tough time and needs a little tenderness from the coaching staff.

"Yeah, I gave him a scholarship," Paddock said of Nelson, "but he has given me tenfold what most guys give to the program. It would be a huge disappointment if we don’t put a ring on his finger this season."

That’s all Nelson feels he is missing at this point in his life.

The Panthers have never raised a championship banner of any kind in men’s basketball, including winning the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference regular-season title or postseason tournament. The ultimate goal, of course, is claiming the NAIA-II championship in Branson, Mo., this spring.

"As far as life, I feel like I can’t ask for much more," Nelson said. "I’m in a position to be anything I want to be in life. I’ve got a great support network. I’m just trying to make this a great year and win that championship. That is my main focus right now. A lot of people here made sacrifices for me.

"I don’t want that to be in vain. Every day, I just try to make the most out of it."